Summary

The Durham VA Healthcare System is seeking (3) highly skilled/experienced Registered Nurses to serve within our Operating Room. Demonstrates leadership - experience/ingenious approaches to management of complex patient care. Accountable for the management of patient care - human - fiscal/material resources - & the total environment of the unit. Responsible to ensure that the highest possible quality of care is achieved & a safe therapeutic environment.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• Graduate of a school of professional nursing approved by the appropriate accrediting agency and accredited by one of the following accrediting bodies at the time the program was completed by the applicant: The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• OR Individuals attending a master's level bridge program in nursing who have completed coursework equivalent to a bachelor's level degree in Nursing may have opportunity to become registered as a nurse with a state licensing board prior to completion of the bridge program
• Upon achievement of a State license - the individual may be appointed on temporary basis and later converted to a permanent appointment upon successful completion and graduation from the bridge program
• (Reference VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G6)
• OR In cases of graduates of foreign schools of professional nursing - possession of a current - full - active - and unrestricted registration will meet the requirement for graduation from an approved school of professional nursing to warrant an appointment as a Nurse who has completed an associated degree/entry level Nursing education program
• Credit for foreign nursing education higher that associate degree/entry level requires a formal degree equivalency validation from a recognized equivalency evaluation accepted by VA such as International Consultants of Delaware (ICD)
• Current - full - active - and unrestricted registration as a graduate professional nurse in a State - Territory or Commonwealth (i.e. - Puerto Rico) of the United States - or the District of Columbia
• Graduate Nurse Technician (GNT) Exception: Candidates who otherwise meet the basic education requirements - but do not possess the required licensure - may be appointed at the entry step of the grade and level applicable to the completed nursing education as a GNT on a 120-day temporary appointment while actively pursuing licensure (may be extended up to two years on a case-by-case-basis.) NOTE: Grandfathering Provision - All persons currently employed in VHA in 0610 series and performing the duties as described in the qualification standard on the effective date of the standard (1/29/2024) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held including positive education and licensure/certification
• Preferred Experience: Minimum of 2 years successful nursing experience Minimum of 1 year current Operating Room experience Demonstrated Urology Experience Prior VA experience Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate & to maintain composure in stressful situations Demonstrated effectiveness in emergency situations Able to fulfill 30-minute response time when On Call Grade Determinations: The following Scope - Education and Dimension criteria must be met in determining the grade assignment of candidates - and if appropriate - the level within a grade
• The Dimension requirements (Practice - Veteran/Patient Driven Care - Leadership - Professional Development and Evidence-Based Practice/Research) are detailed for each grade and level within the online assessment: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12945333
• Grade/Level Scope Education Nurse I - Level I Delivers fundamental - knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical competencies
• An Associate Degree (ADN) or Diploma in Nursing - with no additional professional nursing required
• Nurse I - Level II Demonstrates integration of biopsychosocial concepts - cognitive skills and technically competent practice in providing care to clients with basic or complex
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 1 year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 1 ;OR a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with no additional professional nursing experience required
• Nurse I - Level III Demonstrates proficiency in practice based on conscious and deliberate planning
• Self-directed in goal setting for managing complex client situations
• An ADN or Diploma in Nursing AND 2 years of professional nursing experience in which one year is equivalent to Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a BSN and 1 year of professional nursing experience equivalent to the Nurse I - Level 2
• OR a Master's degree in nursing (MSN) and no additional professional nursing experience
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse II Demonstrates leadership in delivering and improving holistic care through collaborative strategies with others
• A BSN with 2 years of professional nursing equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR an MSN with one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Master's degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse I - Level 3
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with no professional nursing experience
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN with no additional professional nursing experience
• Nurse III Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience and creative approaches to management of complex client care beyond the immediate practice setting
• MSN and 2 years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Master's degree in *related field with BSN and two years of specialized nursing experience - one of which is equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in Nursing with and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• OR a Doctoral degree in a *related field with a BSN and one year of specialized nursing experience equivalent to Nurse II and meets all dimension requirements for Nurse III
• *Note: Foreign education programs/degrees are not creditable as related degrees
• Preferred Level of Education: BSN Full performance level of this vacancy is Nurse III
• The actual grade an applicant may be selected for is Nurse I to Nurse III
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - sitting - lifting - carrying - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands - both legs & repeated bending
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• & over) Heavy Carrying (45 lbs
• & over) Straight Pulling (up to 4 hours) Pushing (up to 4 hours) Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 8 hours) Standing (up to 8 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 8 hours) Both legs required
• Ability for rapid mental & muscular coordination simultaneously
• Specific visual requirement: Read typed Chapters
• Correctable vision 20/40 in one eye
• Ability to distinguish basic colors & shades of colors
• Hearing (aid permitted)
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• Emotional & Mental Stability: The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs
• Must complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening/testing - as a condition of employment.

Duties

• VA offers a comprehensive total rewards package: VA Nurse Total Rewards Delivers fundamental knowledge-based care to assigned clients while developing technical skills
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age-specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Responsible and accountable for all elements of the nursing process when providing and/or supervising direct patient care
• Assesses - plans - implements - and evaluates care based on age specific components
• Assumes responsibility for the coordination of care focused on patient education - self-management - and customer satisfaction throughout the continuum of care
• Administers medications and procedures per established policies and guidelines
• Influences care outcomes by collaborating with members of the interdisciplinary team
• Executes position responsibilities that demonstrate leadership - experience - and creative approaches to management of complex client care
• Major functions and responsibilities of the Operating Room RN include but are not limited to: Proficient in both the circulator and scrub role within the OR and to be competent in all surgical specialties
• Maintains knowledge of current Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses (AORN) Standards - VHA Directives - and service level standard operating procedures
• Assures the sterility of the surgical field is maintained and all instrumentation and equipment in play is used in a safe and efficient manner
• Hours of operation for the operating rooms are from 7:30 am to 8 pm - Monday through Friday
• There are two call teams covering emergency call and are composed of two nursing staff members - a RN and the other will be a RN - or ORT
• The operating room is involved in the training of: Surgical residents from Duke University
• Nursing students from local program affiliated universities and colleges OR Tech from local affiliated technical programs CRNA students from Duke University Five Most Common Patient Problems Requiring Nursing Care
• The 5 include: Cadiothoracic Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Graft and valve replacements - General surgery: hernia repairs - open and laparoscopic procedures - and colectomies
• Cardiovascular: Carotid Endarterectomy and Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Stent/repair
• Genitourinary: Ureteroscopy with laser ablation of stones - Transurethral Resection of Bladder tumors - robotic surgery
• Lastly - Orthopedic: Total Joint Replacements and arthroscopic surgeries (knee and shoulder)
• Operating Room consists of 8 rooms for inpatient and outpatient surgeries with the following surgeries performed: Cardiac - Thoracic - General - Cardiovascular - Orthopedics - Plastic - Neurosurgery - Genitourinary - Gynecological - Eye - Dental - Podiatry - Bronchoscopy - Radiation Oncology - robotic surgery for 4 different specialties and ENT
• Competency in the operating room is assured by verification of relevant clinical skills for each specialty
• A RN - OR tech performs the scrub role
• Some cases may require an additional person in the role scrub or circulator depending on the complexity of the case
• Pay: Competitive salary - regular salary increases - potential for performance awards Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Licensure: 1 full and unrestricted license from any US State or territory Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
• 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m
• (10 hour shifts
• on call weekends) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized